Courier Post wrestling reporter Mark Trible and Brett Fetty break down some of the best teams and biggest results in New Jersey. Show airs live on The Mat Pack's Facebook page on Tuesdays at 7 p.m.

Haddonfield's Sean Ellery celebrates after pinning Gateway's Lucas DeSantis in the third period of the 160-pound bout of Friday night's wrestling match at Gateway.(Photo: Joe Warner/For the Courier Post)

The first fuse got lit by Sean Ellery at 160 pounds. He trailed Lucas DeSantis by a 1-0 count headed to the final two minutes.

Ellery escaped, earned a takedown with 50 seconds into the third and eventually put DeSantis on his back with 17 ticks left.

“I was just trying to make it easy on myself,” Ellery said. “I knew if I got him broken down on top, I could pin him. I just used a bar to a sit. Just as simple as that.”

Chris Bolletino, The Mat Pack’s second-ranked 170-pounder, matched Ellery in the next class. In his second contest back from a left shoulder injury, the senior pinned Tom Goetz in 5 minutes, 24 seconds.

The heavy brace didn’t bother Bolletino. He led 7-2 prior to his deck.

“It’s getting better day by day,” the star, who improved to 18-2, said. “I’m getting out there and starting to get a feel for it.

“It’s going to progressively get better. It can’t get any worse. It will fix itself as time goes on.”

After the Gators’ (11-7) man at 182 in Matt Goetz earned an 11-4 decision of Nick DiNoia, Gabe Klaus took six more in 92 seconds against Rob Scafide.

Will Murray piled on a major of Noah Little, 9-1, at 220. Chris Guy claimed the second home win of the night at heavyweight – 5-3 – against Matt Pinsky.

Ryan Bolletino took a free victory at 106. Haddonfield’s Michael Neale pinned James Whitfield in 1:21, a result sandwiched between Dante Mininno’s 23-second deck of Gabe Goldman at 113 and his brother Antonio Mininno’s 23-8 technical fall of Will Sabia in 5:30 at 126.

Up 6-1 and in line for a decision. Jones put Blaine Lombardo flat with 25 seconds left in the third stanza.

“I think it’s a testament to our character,” Chris Bolletino divulged. “We’re all in good shape and we know we’re going to go out there and grind and get bonus points in the third period of tough matches.

“It’s a testament to our conditioning and our coaching. You get used to it.”

Coach Mike Miller heaped praise on Ellery and the boost his opener provided. The junior routinely saw tough bouts last season when teams opted to move away from Chris Bolletino.

“Sean’s been great all year, he’s wrestled tough matches and picks up a lot of bonus points for us,” Miller, who also coached the athlete as a linebacker on the South Jersey Group 2 championship football team, said. “If I could have 10 of him, I would.

“He works his butt off, he’s a gentleman and does anything for the team. He’s the epitome of what we try to pride ourselves on.”

Rutter’s disappointment

The Haddons’ clutch moves certainly pleased Miller.

To say they also drew the ire of Gateway coach Jim Rutter would be an understatement.

“It’s disgraceful,” Rutter said after a long closed-door meeting with his club. “Getting pinned six times, giving up a forfeit, that’s 42 points. I have nothing good to say about it.

Rutter’s squads are normally resistant to the pin and constantly scrappy. That wasn’t the case on Friday and he made sure the group knew it wouldn’t be tolerated for the stretch run.

“Look, we’ve had some injuries but sometimes you’ve got to suck up some injuries,” he said. “Just because you’re dinged up, you’re dinged up.

“Look at (Chris) Bolletino tonight. I give that kid all the credit in the world. He’s dinged up and he went out there and gave it his all.”

Va. Duals no good for points

Both Colonial Conference clubs were at the Virginia Duals two weeks ago.

Miller and Rutter each saluted the competition their kids received and believe it benefits the roster for the long haul.

However, the power points that decide the playoffs – which cut off this weekend – were not helped by out-of-state foes.

In SJ Group 2, Haddonfield sat in the No. 6 spot when the totals came out earlier this week. The Haddons will face Cinnaminson, Buena and Pennsauken in a quad meet Saturday at Buena.

Miller isn’t sure where his team will end up slotted, but knows the bracket will challenge 2017’s runner-up in that same group.

“You’ve got Colonial teams, a couple teams from the Shore Conference and some Burlington County teams that are always tough,” Miller said. “I think we have a lot of work to do. There will be some tight matches.

“That makes it exciting for the fans, but not as much for the coaches.”

Rutter took his Gators in part because he wanted to reward the Mininnos and Tim Sparks for their contributions to his program.

They couldn’t compete in the prestigious Beast of the East tournament. It falls on the same weekend as Gateway’s holiday competition – one it's hosted for more than 20 years.

“We wrestled really well down there, it was really good,” Rutter said. “But, it’s hurt us with power points, there’s no doubt.

“We’ve got to show up tomorrow and win three matches and hope to get a good playoff spot.”

Rutter hopes for the No. 2 seed in SJ Group 3. His Gators sat there headed into this week behind No. 1 Delsea and slightly ahead of No. 3 Lacey.

Lacey will not wrestle a team meet on Saturday. Gateway will travel to Shawnee and face the Renegades, Washington Township and Timber Creek.